Soulfood Southern Spaghetti Sauce

SOULFOOD SOUTHERN SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Ingredients

Meat Base

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

• ½ lb (225 g) ground pork OR smoked sausage slices (optional but VERY Southern)

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• ½ green bell pepper, finely diced

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

• 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes

• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce

• 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) tomato paste

• 1 cup water OR beef broth

• 1–2 tbsp sugar (Southern spaghetti is slightly sweet)

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Optional Add-ins for Authentic Soulfood Flavor

• ½ cup diced celery

• ½–1 cup sliced smoked sausage

• A splash of hot sauce

• A pinch of cayenne

• 1 tbsp butter added at the end

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Instructions

1. Brown the Meat

1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

2. Add ground beef (and pork, if using).

3. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.

4. Drain most of the fat but leave 1–2 tablespoons for flavor.

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2. Sauté the Vegetables

1. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot.

2. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

3. If using smoked sausage, add it now and cook 2–3 minutes.

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3. Build the Sauce

Stir in:

• crushed tomatoes

• tomato sauce

• tomato paste

• water or broth

Mix well to blend the tomato paste.

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4. Add Seasonings

Add:

• sugar

• Worcestershire

• Italian seasoning

• paprika

• garlic & onion powder

• salt, pepper

• crushed red pepper

Taste and adjust now—it should be bold, savory, and slightly sweet.

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5. Simmer Slowly

1. Bring sauce to a gentle simmer.

2. Lower heat to medium-low.

3. Cover partially and cook 45–90 minutes (the longer, the better).

4. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking.

Optional: Add 1 tablespoon butter at the end for richness.

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6. Serve

Serve over spaghetti noodles with:

• grated cheese (many Southern kitchens use cheddar!)

• garlic bread

• coleslaw

• fried catfish or baked chicken sides

• green salad

Soulfood spaghetti is often served as a main dish, but also appears as a side at fish fries and BBQ plates.

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Variations

Country-Style Spaghetti

Use half ground beef, half smoked sausage or hot links.

Mississippi Sweet Spaghetti

Increase sugar to 3 tbsp and add ½ tsp celery salt.

Spicy Louisiana-Style

Add:

• ½ tsp cayenne

• diced andouille sausage

• a splash of hot sauce

Southern Church Potluck Version

Add 1 cup of Velveeta cubes and melt into the sauce until smooth—creates creamy, kid-friendly spaghetti.

OTHER RECIPES

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14½ ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar (the original recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, but I just add one)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water

Instructions

Brown beef in a large heavy bottomed pot. Drain fat.

Add onion and green pepper and saute until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds.

Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, seasonings, and water.

Simmer 3o minutes. And the sauce are ready to serve....Enjoy !

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